Created in 1994, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the European Union's assembly of regional and local representatives.

It is composed of 350 members – regional presidents, mayors or elected representatives of regions and cities – from the 28 EU countries.

Members must be democratically elected and/or hold a political mandate in their home country. Through the CoR, EU local and regional authorities can have a say on the development of EU laws that impact regions and cities.

But… why was the CoR created?

Since its establishment more than 20 years ago, the CoR has been working to bring citizens closer to the European Union.

It is generally accepted that:

70% of EU legislation has a direct regional and local impact

EU citizens must be involved in the construction of the EU

50% of EU citizens believe their locally and regionally elected representatives are in a better position to represent them at the EU level

regional and local elected authorities close to citizens should be able to communicate their views during the preparation of the EU legislation

The important role of the CoR was recognised and strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. Learn more about it further down this page.

How does the CoR bring EU closer to citizens?

CoR members live and work in the regions or cities they come from and are therefore in touch with their electorate's concerns

They speak for their voters at the very heart of the EU decision-making and legislative process and also keep them abreast of EU developments, by hosting meetings and conferences of the CoR in their regions or cities